Lecture: Argumentative Writing

The Evolution Begins

The PhilosophyTo make an impact as a writer, you need to

do more than make statements that are logical, well supported, and consistent.

When writing argumentatively, you MUST start with the arguments made by someone else.

RhetoricBefore we can continue, let’s see what you all

know about Rhetoric.Define the next few terms:RhetoricEthosLogosPathos

They SayTo give writing the most important component –

namely, a point – a writer must clearly indicate not only his or her thesis, they must identify the larger conversation that the thesis is addressing.

A solid order: Broad Statement, The Source of the Argument, You.

While you all know how to write the Broad Statement and the thesis, the second part may prove problematic.

Sutton’s Note: When crafting an introduction for an argumentative paper, make certain that you do what you need to do, simply, quickly, and perfectly! You only have one chance to capture the audience’s attention.

Templates for Including the SourceIn their recent work, Y and Z have offered

harsh critiques of _______ for _______.When considering _______, the work of

________ is often discussed. ______’s unique method of handling ______ has helped to shape the debate about ______.

Summarizing Summarization is an art form that many people,

sadly, lack the ability to do effectively. To write a really good summary, you must be able

to suspend your own beliefs for a time and put yourself in the shoes of someone else.

If, as a writer, you cannot or will not suspend your own beliefs in this way, you are likely to produce summaries that are so obviously biased that they undermine your credibility with readers.

Sutton’s Note: Keep the yourself out of a summary. It’s the author’s words rephrased into your words; it is NOT the author’s words bent to fit your agenda!

SummarizingDo not try to find a source when you are

writing; find your sources before (some exceptions may apply).

Far too often, writers will approach a writing assignment with no direction and no research completed. If you want the argumentative paper to be successful, you have to know where you are going from word one. Such a path may only be found when the writer does the research, First!

QuotingThe main problem with quoting comes when

authors assume that quotations speak for themselves. Because the meaning of a quotation is clear to the author, many writer’s assume the meaning will be obvious to the reader. Sutton’s Note: The Meaning is NEVER Obvious to the READER!

APEAnswer – Establish your argument for the

paragraph and lead into the quote.Prove – QUOTE flawlesslyExplain – Walk the person through the process of

reading the quote and arriving at the answer.

If you take the audience through this process, the result is a very rhetorically immersive experience where the audience thinks that they controlled the logical process, when in fact, the writer controlled the process. Still, the feeling of control on the audience’s part makes the experience very persuasive and controlling.

You SayThree ways to respond to an argument:Agree – Disagree – Agree but DisagreeWhere are you going to enter the

conversation?Sutton Note: Disagreement is always easier

than agreement; however, disagreement and agreement both require one to temper their own emotions for the sake of objectivity.

First person POVUse “I” in your paper. Enough Said!

Skepticism is a Necessity of Strong ArgumentsAnticipate and confront objections to your

ideas/argument.When we confront our naysayers, we show

confidence in our work while also answering the opposition.

Sutton’s Note: Want to amp up your essay? Be humble and respectful when you introduce the naysayers. Prove that you can be argumentative and respectful. It goes a long way!

So What[Insert Sutton’s Soapbox Here]